Alex Colovic
@gmalexcolovic.bsky.social
Grandmaster
Fair Play Officer
http://chessable.com/colovic
https://youtube.com/@gmalexcolovic
https://gmalexcolovic.substack.com
Author of "Capablanca's Endgame Technique" (New In Chess, 2024)
Fair Play Officer
http://chessable.com/colovic
https://youtube.com/@gmalexcolovic
https://gmalexcolovic.substack.com
Author of "Capablanca's Endgame Technique" (New In Chess, 2024)
The chess world is a special place and I've always loved being in it. But the best happens when you play a tournament.
I write about the immersion in the "bubble" in my latest post.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/immersion
I write about the immersion in the "bubble" in my latest post.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/immersion
Immersion
I am not a professional player anymore.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The chess world is a special place and I've always loved being in it. But the best happens when you play a tournament.
I write about the immersion in the "bubble" in my latest post.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/immersion
I write about the immersion in the "bubble" in my latest post.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/immersion
Is it possible to coach and play at a relatively high level at the same time.
I don't think it is, though some have (more or less) succeded.
The reasons are explained in my post - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/coaching-a...
I don't think it is, though some have (more or less) succeded.
The reasons are explained in my post - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/coaching-a...
Coaching and Playing
Is it possible to coach regularly and remain a successful player at the same time?
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Is it possible to coach and play at a relatively high level at the same time.
I don't think it is, though some have (more or less) succeded.
The reasons are explained in my post - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/coaching-a...
I don't think it is, though some have (more or less) succeded.
The reasons are explained in my post - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/coaching-a...
Continuing the theme of engines, they seem to have become capable of finding harmony in unexpected places.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/engines-se...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/engines-se...
Engine's Search (and Discovery) of Harmony
Several years ago I spent time analysing the Chebanenko Slav for my Chessable course on the subject.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Continuing the theme of engines, they seem to have become capable of finding harmony in unexpected places.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/engines-se...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/engines-se...
Using engines you prepare on 3800-rated level, but when preparation ends and you start to play yourself you are experiencing a crash landing.
I talk about this problem and what to do about it in my latest Substack:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/smooth-tra...
I talk about this problem and what to do about it in my latest Substack:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/smooth-tra...
Smooth Transition, or How to Avoid Crash Landings
We all analyse our openings with engines.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Using engines you prepare on 3800-rated level, but when preparation ends and you start to play yourself you are experiencing a crash landing.
I talk about this problem and what to do about it in my latest Substack:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/smooth-tra...
I talk about this problem and what to do about it in my latest Substack:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/smooth-tra...
Why did Kasparov commit suicide in the last game of his match against Deep Blue?
It just made no sense. I explain why.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparovs-...
It just made no sense. I explain why.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparovs-...
Kasparov's Suicide Against Deep Blue - Why?
Some days ago I saw that famous photo of Kasparov holding his head in desperation after Deep Blue executed the move on the board:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Why did Kasparov commit suicide in the last game of his match against Deep Blue?
It just made no sense. I explain why.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparovs-...
It just made no sense. I explain why.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparovs-...
In rook endgames, the only thing that is guaranteed are mistakes.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/rook-endga...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/rook-endga...
Rook Endgames Gone Wrong
There is one undeniable truth when it comes to rook endgames: everybody goes wrong in them.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In rook endgames, the only thing that is guaranteed are mistakes.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/rook-endga...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/rook-endga...
If a child (or his/her parents) wants to become an elite player, this is what (s)he should do:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/the-secret...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/the-secret...
The Secret of Stardom
Why do some players reach the absolute top while others, perhaps no less talented, fail to do so?
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
August 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
If a child (or his/her parents) wants to become an elite player, this is what (s)he should do:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/the-secret...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/the-secret...
Chess develops logical thinking, but it also develops something that I call parallel thinking.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/parallel-t...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/parallel-t...
Parallel Thinking
A lot has been written about why chess is useful and which abilities it develops.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Chess develops logical thinking, but it also develops something that I call parallel thinking.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/parallel-t...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/parallel-t...
The Najdorf and the move g4 for White are closely linked. So when you see that a move like g4 is atypical in the Najdorf, you pay attention.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/an-atypica...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/an-atypica...
An Atypical g4 in the Najdorf
You must be wondering how a g4 move in the Najdorf can be atypical, but there are some cases when it is.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
July 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The Najdorf and the move g4 for White are closely linked. So when you see that a move like g4 is atypical in the Najdorf, you pay attention.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/an-atypica...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/an-atypica...
Positions that were considered lost in the past are nowadays considered draws.
Chess understanding evolves constantly, but I have no idea whether future computers will change our understanding dramatically. It's has gone pretty deep already.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/maroczy-st...
Chess understanding evolves constantly, but I have no idea whether future computers will change our understanding dramatically. It's has gone pretty deep already.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/maroczy-st...
Maroczy Structures, or How Deep Preparation Goes
Chess advances in every way.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
July 19, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Positions that were considered lost in the past are nowadays considered draws.
Chess understanding evolves constantly, but I have no idea whether future computers will change our understanding dramatically. It's has gone pretty deep already.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/maroczy-st...
Chess understanding evolves constantly, but I have no idea whether future computers will change our understanding dramatically. It's has gone pretty deep already.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/maroczy-st...
Some openings are just unlucky.
Like the Nimzo-Indian for Kasparov.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparov-a...
Like the Nimzo-Indian for Kasparov.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparov-a...
Kasparov and the Nimzo-Indian
For me personally the Nimzo-Indian is an ideal opening.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Some openings are just unlucky.
Like the Nimzo-Indian for Kasparov.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparov-a...
Like the Nimzo-Indian for Kasparov.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/kasparov-a...
"... if Black doesn't want to have to defend carefully during the first part of the game, he must give White something: more space, healthier pawn structure, the bishop pair - or simply a pawn!" - Larsen
How to approach openings with the Black pieces - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-to-app...
How to approach openings with the Black pieces - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-to-app...
How to Approach Openings With Black
This email is inspired by a quote by Bent Larsen from the book “How To Open A Chess Game.” I don't have the book, nor have I read it, so the information I give here was sent to me by a reader of this ...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
July 6, 2025 at 1:53 PM
"... if Black doesn't want to have to defend carefully during the first part of the game, he must give White something: more space, healthier pawn structure, the bishop pair - or simply a pawn!" - Larsen
How to approach openings with the Black pieces - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-to-app...
How to approach openings with the Black pieces - gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-to-app...
Just when you thought the beginning of the chess game has been thoroughly examined and nothing new can be invented, you get something like this:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/two-shocki...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/two-shocki...
Two Shocking Moves in the Sicilian Defence
I have been playing and following chess all my life and I have seen quite a lot.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
June 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Just when you thought the beginning of the chess game has been thoroughly examined and nothing new can be invented, you get something like this:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/two-shocki...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/two-shocki...
Grandmasters should understand chess, right? Like, how certain positions are played, which pieces should be exchanged, which should be left on the board etc.
Well...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/grandmaste...
Well...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/grandmaste...
Grandmaster Understanding
We usually know what grandmaster understanding means - a blend of knowledge of common plans, structures and ideas with the personal intuition of the title-holder.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
June 22, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Grandmasters should understand chess, right? Like, how certain positions are played, which pieces should be exchanged, which should be left on the board etc.
Well...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/grandmaste...
Well...
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/grandmaste...
Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought her back.
The above was certainly true for Korchnoi. I tried to emulate his curiosity when it comes to openings.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/curiosity
The above was certainly true for Korchnoi. I tried to emulate his curiosity when it comes to openings.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/curiosity
Curiosity
I read somewhere that one of the secrets to Korchnoi's longetivity at the top was his constant desire to learn something new.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
June 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought her back.
The above was certainly true for Korchnoi. I tried to emulate his curiosity when it comes to openings.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/curiosity
The above was certainly true for Korchnoi. I tried to emulate his curiosity when it comes to openings.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/curiosity
Botvinnik and AlphaZero, do they have anything in common?
More than you'd have imagined.
Check out my latest Substack to see what I mean:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/botvinnik-...
More than you'd have imagined.
Check out my latest Substack to see what I mean:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/botvinnik-...
Botvinnik and AlphaZero
Botvinnik's name is usually not associated with dynamic play, but in fact he was the first player who discovered the dynamic possibilities in the positions with an isolated queen's pawn (IQP).
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Botvinnik and AlphaZero, do they have anything in common?
More than you'd have imagined.
Check out my latest Substack to see what I mean:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/botvinnik-...
More than you'd have imagined.
Check out my latest Substack to see what I mean:
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/botvinnik-...
How do you evaluate a position when you have no clue what is going on?
There is just one thing to do in such situations.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
There is just one thing to do in such situations.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
How Do You Evaluate a Position?
Most of the times evaluating a position is not that difficult.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com
May 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
How do you evaluate a position when you have no clue what is going on?
There is just one thing to do in such situations.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
There is just one thing to do in such situations.
gmalexcolovic.substack.com/p/how-do-you...